Ormont massif

Start from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, La Behouille district, Chemin du Bois Basselin, a 5-minute cycle from the town centre.

(S/E) Take Chemin du Bois Basselin. Continue uphill past the ‘Impasse/No Entry’ sign. At the meadow, take the path on the right which climbs up to Dijon.

(1) Cross the D82 county road and take the path on the other side of the road. Descend along the path to the Pont de la Chouette. Then head uphill to the left along a steep, narrow path, then left again at the junction with the track. At the top, head down to the right along the edge of the field to the tennis court. The path continues on the other side of the road; cross the stream below, then head back up via Magimont (a very short push may be required).

(2) Turn left onto the Route Forestière du Chêne de la Vierge (which is actually a track). Go straight on at the first junction and, at the next one – marked at an altitude of 552m on the map – turn left onto the very steep path (you may need to push your bike). The track emerges at a higher level onto the Route forestière du Spitzemberg. Follow the road to the junction further up (Carrefour des Hautes Voies, viewpoint) and continue left along the track to the Roche d’Ormont.

(3) From there, turn right onto the path towards the Tête de Raves. Remnants of the war. First a short section where you’ll need to carry your bike, then the path becomes rideable, though quite uneven. Then follow the Yellow Diamonds to the Roches des Abris.

(4) A technical descent down the north face, following the Red Triangles. The start of the descent is quite challenging. There is a fountain nearby. A short stretch along a track before continuing to the right along the superb Capitaine Bonnefoy path. Hortimont crossroads.

(5) Head up to the left via the Route Forestière de Bellevue, then along the tracks: follow the ‘Tournant des Feuillets’, ‘Le Pallier’, ‘Tournant du Chariot’, and finally the ‘Roche du Sapin Sec’. Highest point of the massif (901m), with a survey table.

(6) Follow the Yellow Diamonds along the ridges (technical path). Roche du Hof. Roche des Cailloux. Pass behind the relay mast then descend towards Roche du Chapeau. Then a lovely descent via the Belle Nanon path (a few tight hairpin bends).

(7) Continue the descent to the right after crossing the tarmac road at Bellevue. At the bottom, there is a water point on the way to Les Molières. Alternatively, turn left, following the Yellow Rectangle and White Rectangle, to Le Paradis. A lovely, easy-going path. Water point on the path (Fachot fountain).
From Le Paradis, take the descent on the left opposite the road, and head back to the starting point (S/E).

There are numerous water points along the route (shown on the IGN map).

From Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, explore the Kemberg and Madeleine massifs by mountain bike.